The Saskatchewan Roughriders aim to secure their fourth straight victory overall and second in as many weeks against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday in Regina.
The Roughriders (8-4) recorded a 19-17 victory over the Elks (2-9) on Nov. 5. The decision dropped Edmonton to 0-7 at Commonwealth Stadium, marking the first time the franchise will finish a CFL season without a win at home in its 72-year history.
Saskatchewan has bigger fish to fry, however. The Roughriders already have punched their ticket to the playoffs, but they can clinch home-field advantage for the West semifinal on Nov. 28 with a win or tie against the Elks.
“We’re focused on this week, and we want to take care of our business here,” Roughriders coach Craig Dickenson said.
“You want to be playing your best football at the end of the season. We need to play well and win (Saturday’s) game for a lot of reasons that aren’t just playoffs. We want to show that we’re making improvements, our guys are starting to jell, and we’re playing well as a unit. So, it’s an important game for us.”
Saturday’s contest marks Saskatchewan’s first home game since a 22-19 setback to the Calgary Stampeders on Oct. 9.
“It’s nice to know that you get to sleep in your bed the night before the game and that you can get into your routine,” Dickenson said. “We’re happy to be at home (on Saturday).”
Roughriders defensive lineman A.C. Leonard was named one of the CFL Top Performers of the Week for the second straight week. He recorded two sacks and a forced fumble in the previous win over the Elks.
Mired in a seven-game losing skid, Edmonton did see a bright spot in last week’s setback to Saskatchewan.
Danny Vandervoort excelled in his offensive debut, reeling in a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Taylor Cornelius.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, but it was very encouraging to see that we’re starting to move and kind of click,” Vandervoort said, per the Edmonton Sun.
Starting running back James Wilder Jr. sat out practice on Thursday with an ankle injury. Walter Fletcher fared well in his absence, totaling 140 scrimmage yards (74 rushing, 66 receiving) versus the Roughriders last week.
–Field Level Media
